Usman and Folau: Don’t dare compare this outspoken duo

The Usman Khawaja matter? You know, his desire to promulgate the view that “All lives are equal,” and “Freedom is a human right.”

It was notable for his grace and maturity throughout, the sagacious manner in which skipper Pat Cummins dealt with it and . . .

And just a moment, there seems to be a furious thumping at the door.

“How dare you?” “What about Israel Folau??” “Huh? Huh? HUH?”

Friends, honestly, that is what some misguided are saying, arguing for the moral equivalency of Khawaja’s actions and those of Folau!

They want to know why we aren’t lining up the batter, the same way we went after the fullback.

The shoes Usman Khawaja was planning to wear in the Perth Test before the ICC barred them.Credit: Getty

Ummm, bring it in tight.

Can we start with the fact that the guts of Khawaja’s views are all about peace and equality, while Folau’s were about how those of God’s children who are born gay will, and deserve to, burn in hell. (Can you spot the difference?)

Let’s also go to Khawaja being advised that it was against his contractual obligations to so display them, and so accepting that and wearing a black armband instead. Folau had been so advised, and posted the biblical statements anyway. Twice.

Most amusingly, those attacking Khawaja are much the same who carried on endlessly about Folau’s right to freedom of speech. And also much the same ones who in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, would return with All Lives Matter. But suddenly, it is shocking that Khawaja should posit that “All lives are equal.”

Credit:

Get in the bin.

But bravo to Captain Pat Cummins on how he handled it.

“Uzzie doesn’t want to make too big of a fuss. On his shoes he had, ‘all lives are equal’. I think that’s not very divisive. I don’t think anyone can really have too many complaints about that,” he said.

You’d be surprised Pat, and no doubt were.

All up, it showed this Australian cricket team to be made up of mature, good men.

Palaszczuk bids farewell before Olympics hit home

That was a good dig by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Nine years in office, took on all comers, and wielded the bat with flair, leaving at a time of her own choosing, just as long-time Victorian Premier Dan Andrews did a few months ago.

But what does it mean for the Brisbane Olympics of 2032? I think it means trouble. TFF did a little swanning about up Brissie way last week on a book tour and was struck by two things.

Firstly, how many locals now refer to the city as “Meanjin” the traditional place name; and secondly, how many are already jack of Olympics expenditure and disruption, nine years out!

As Palaszczuk was the one who committed Brisbane to go for it, despite there being no other bidders, she had skin in the game, an inbuilt commitment to stay the course despite the naysayers. Her successors cannot possibly have that same level of commitment and in short order, believe it, you will see budgets being slashed.

When Dan Andrews pulled the pin on the Commonwealth Games earlier in the year, he surely had a fair clue that he was about to retire himself. Killing off those Games might come at some political cost, but better that he do it than leave it to his successor – as he could take the baggage with him as he left.

In this case, the Olympics were always going to be too big to kill off in the same manner – no matter how much the ballooning numbers might point to the insanity of the original decision.

So watch what happens now. The only hope of the new premier surviving will be to be seen as wielding a heavy axe on expenditure, and if the IOC doesn’t like it, too bad. They might point to the decision that was taken in Victoria and legitimately say, “Don’t push us.”

$900m enough to get Rahm thinking ‘revolution’

Let’s cross now to Spanish golf champion Jon Rahm, as we talk to him, last year, and as recently as August this year, when asked if he would join LIV golf. Are you there John? Give us a few bursts of your denials.

“Shotgun [start] with three days to me is not a golf tournament, no cut. It’s that simple. I wanna play against the best in the world in a format that’s been going on for hundreds of years ...”

“I can understand people on the PGA Tour not wanting [LIV players] back.”

“I laugh when people rumour me with LIV Golf. I’ve never liked the format. Phil [Mickelson] respects my decision, and I respect his [choice]. He has told me that I have no reason to go play for LIV, and he has told me that multiple times ...”

Great, and let’s cross to Rahm, this week, on why he has decided to join LIV after all: “The past two years there’s been a lot of evolving in the game of golf, and things have changed a lot, and so have I. Seeing the growth and evolution and the innovation is something that’s captured my attention, and that’s why we are here today.”

Exactly! Love that “growth”, that “evolution”, that “innovation”!

What about you, Greg Norman? Can you tell us the impact of Rahm signing?

“It will create a domino effect, there will be more apples falling from the tree - no question about it because LIV continues to develop.”

Spain’s Jon Rahm celebrates winning The Masters at Augusta in April.Credit: Getty

More “development”!

Say, guys? Do yers think the estimated $900 million headed to Rahm might have something to do with it? Greg, the Fair Dinkum Department has been on the blower. They want to put you up in their Hall of Shame. Send photos. The one of you embracing your naked torso statue should do the trick.

Eddie to coach Japan ... well, I never

And speaking of the Fair Dinkum Department, can we not just say it out loud now? Eddie Jones has been lying through his teeth, to journalists, to Rugby Australia, to the Australian rugby community. Since Tom Decent broke the story in September that Eddie had been talking to Rugby Japan about taking over as coach, his denials have been vociferous.

This week, as you know – knock us over with a feather – Eddie is officially anointed as Japan’s new rugby coach. Tom Decent was at the press conference in Tokyo and personally asked the question that was always coming Eddie’s way.

Eddie replied: “Apologise to Australian fans? Yep. Mate, I gave everything I could for that short period of time, and it wasn’t good enough. I feel terrible about the results of Australia because I wanted to go back and change Australia. I feel terrible, but I don’t feel any guilt at all about this process and I know you’ve been banging the drum fairly strongly on it. But I hadn’t had an interview.”

Semantic sophistry. Eddie lied through his teeth, and it is deeply disappointing.

End of story.

Over, and out, for ’23: It was quite the ride

Friends? That’s a wrap. 2023? As my late, great mate, Doug Mulray would say, “Stick a fork in its arse and turn it over, it’s done.” Or very nearly.

Sporting-wise, it will be remembered as the year of the Matildas, Penrith’s three-peat, the Wallabies debacle, the triumph of Pat Cummins’ team at the World Cup, the whimpering if merciful end of the Commonwealth Games and the rousing renaissance of Collingwood.

Anything big, I’ve missed? No doubt. But that is the guts of it: the good, the great, the bad, the sad, the ugly, the fugly, the fantastic and the ecstatic – but all of it absorbing in its own way.

All the best for the holiday season, and the New Year. If you need me, I will be in my trailer.

What They Said

Usman Khawaja wore these two rallying cries on his training shoes before the Test against Pakistan: “All lives are Equal.” ”Freedom is a human right.” I know. It’s just SHOCKING isn’t it?

Eddie Jones, at the press conference where he was confirmed as the new coach of the Japanese rugby team, to Wallaby fans: “I feel terrible, but I don’t feel any guilt at all about this process ...”

Wallaby Allan Alaalatoa on the news that Eddie Jones has indeed signed with Japan: “Now that it’s confirmed, it just really hurts.”

Eddie Jones has been announced as Japan coach.Credit: AP

Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell, who has just been appointed as the head coach of English women’s rugby, was asked if he’d take a higher-profile coaching role in men’s rugby if an offer came: “I’m not an Eddie Jones. That’s just not going to happen.”

Peter V’landys on seeing if he can get President Joe Biden to come to the Las Vegas NRL junket in March: “A standing invite is with Anthony Albanese, but he has a lot on with the presidential elections.” Do you think, Peter?

Former West Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis after the whole board was dumped: “Have mistakes been made? Perhaps, in hindsight.”

Interim Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson: “This is not a rebuild. I hate that word. This is a build again.” I know. Me, neither.

Nick Kyrgios: “If it was up to me, I don’t really want to play any more, to be honest.” Who else could it possibly be up to, Nick? Stop.

Shohei Ohtani on signing a 10-year, $US700 million deal with the LA Dodgers: “And to all Dodgers fans, I pledge to always do what’s best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself. Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world.”

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag on them being consistently inconsistent: “I think, as a squad, we are not good enough to be consistent and we have to work as a squad to improve that.”

Jonathan Batty on signing up cricketer Annabel Sutherland to the Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League with a mixed metaphor, quite unlike the one mother used to make: “She covers a lot of bases with us – a fast bowler and her batting prowess really completes our squad.”

LeBron James on son Bronny returning to the court after a heart scare: “Damn the wins and losses that will occur. You’ve already won the ultimate goal/championship and that’s LIFE!!!”

Patrick Mahomes unhappy with NFL officiating: “I’ve played seven years and never had offensive offside called. Another game, we’re talking about the refs. It’s not what we want for the NFL. It’s not what we want for football.”

Former footballer Dominic Matteo on the lure of gambling: “It’s an epidemic in football. I believe that. I don’t know that – I can just tell; I can smell it. I know it’s happening. You might have lost a 100 grand, 50 grand, but you can hide that. In your head, you’re thinking: ‘Shit, what have I done?’ But you can still mask it. The money increases and before you know it, you’re on the chase. And the chase, in a way, is what we all liked.”

Team of the Week

Alyssa Healy. Captain of Australia’s women’s team in all three cricket formats.

David Warner. Starts the summer with a century against Pakistan who, to be honest, looked as though they’d rather be somewhere else.

Eddie Jones. Well, knock us over with a feather. After no fewer than fourteen on-the-record denials during the Rugby World Cup – including to ME! – it turns out he is the new Japan rugby coach.

Aston Villa. Doing something right after defeating both Manchester City and Arsenal in a matter of days.

Big Bash. I’m told it started this week. Even those of you who enjoyed it last year, do any of you remember who won? Who did the heroics? Or is it the fairy-floss of sport: sickly sweet enjoyable at the time, but the fact it has no substance makes it instantly forgettable.

X/Twitter: @Peter_Fitz

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